Modular Aeroponic System Hydraulic Line Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aeroponic systems for cultivating and transporting vegetable products are complex and expensive, leading to excessive use of nutritional fluid and labor, resulting in product deterioration during transportation and sale, with roots being removed at collection, causing dehydration and loss of nutritional and organoleptic qualities.
Innovation Solution
A modular aeroponic system with a simplified structure featuring a main container and secondary containers with the bottom of the secondary containers at a higher level, connected by a single auxiliary hydraulic line, reducing the need for a separate collection tank and minimizing nutritional fluid usage, along with features like ozonization and artificial lighting for optimized growth and transportability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a traditional aeroponic system with multiple independent hydraulic lines and separate collection tanks is used for each series of containers, then the system can cultivate and transport vegetable products, but the system becomes excessively complex and expensive to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple independent hydraulic lines into a single shared hydraulic line that serves all container units in series. Instead of having separate pumps and hydraulic systems for each container series, one pump and one hydraulic line distribute nutritional fluid to all containers, dramatically reducing system complexity and manufacturing cost while maintaining full cultivation functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The single hydraulic line and pump system performs multiple functions: it distributes nutritional fluid to all container units, enables washing of all containers through the same line, and supports the entire series of container units with a unified infrastructure, eliminating the need for multiple dedicated systems
2Ease of operation
If roots are removed at collection for distribution, then the products can be transported to points of sale, but the products begin to deteriorate and dehydrate, losing organoleptic and nutritive characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by keeping roots intact and continuously nourishing plants through the aeroponic system during transport. The nutritional fluid is delivered to roots before and during transportation, preventing dehydration and deterioration, so products arrive at points of sale in optimal condition rather than allowing damage to occur during transit
Solution Approach 2:
The aeroponic system acts as an intermediary between collection and final sale, providing continuous root nourishment and protection during transport. The system mediates the transition by maintaining root viability and preventing deterioration that would otherwise occur during the transportation period
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple independent pumps and hydraulic lines are used for each container series, then each series can be independently managed, but the system requires excessive amounts of nutritional fluid
Solution Approach 1:
The system recovers and reuses nutritional fluid by collecting it from all container units through the single hydraulic line back to a common collection tank. Instead of discarding fluid from each independent system, the unified system aggregates and recycles nutritional fluid across all containers, significantly reducing overall consumption while maintaining independent management capability through valve control
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system allows for easier transport and sale of vegetable products with maintained vitality, delaying the collection step until purchase, reducing waste and maintaining product quality, while minimizing water and nutrient consumption, and enabling efficient washing and preparation for new cycles.
Implementation Method 1
a first hydraulic line (22) connected to the delivery side of the pump (24)
Implementation Method 2
The suction side of the pump (24) is connected to a tank for collecting the nutritional fluid
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
An aeroponic system for modularly cultivating and for transporting vegetable products comprises a plurality of containers (12a, 12b) closed by an upper cover (16) having seats (18) for accomodating pots (20) for containing a respective horticultural product (14), the pots being provided with openings to communicate with the inside of a container (12a, 12b). The system comprises a main container (12a) and a series of secondary containers (12b) the bottom of which is placed at an upper level with respect to the bottom of the main container (12a). A first hydraulic line (22) for feeding a nutritional fluid in each container (12a, 12b) is associated with the system (10), which connects the containers (12a, 12b) in parallel and is connected with the delivery side of a pump (24), as well as an auxiliary hydraulic line (26) connected to the delivery side of the pump (24) and connected only to the bottom of the main container (12a), and a second hydraulic line (44) for connecting the bottom of the various containers (12a, 12b).